The Song of Achilles
Madeline Miller’s story of the famous Greek hero Achilles in The Song of Achilles shows the boy behind the legend through the eyes of his soulmate Patroclus.
Although Achilles is the more famous of the two, Miller’s decision to make Patroclus the narrator to document Achilles’ short life was a good choice. Patroclus and Achilles meet after Patroclus is disowned by his father and he is taken in by Achilles’ father. Their friendship starts by accident, but they become steadfast companions whose love for each other transcends death, if Miller’s final chapter is to be believed. Much tries to pull the boys apart, including Achilles’ goddess mother Thetis, but through it all Patroclus and Achilles remain loyal to each other. Ultimately, this loyalty leads to Patroclus and Achilles’ deaths, but anyone with any knowledge of the Greek myths knows not all stories end happily.
One of the most interesting themes in Miller’s book is war. Achilles joined the Trojan siege somewhat reluctantly at first and Patroclus followed his love, but Patroclus viewed the battles very different from how Achilles described them to him. While Achilles excelled and touted his successes on the battlefield, all Patroclus saw was the death and disease war brought to the soldiers. Through his knowledge of medicine, Patroclus became one of the camp healers. His desire to help others kept him from the battlefield and instead he was able to make a different impact. He became known as a kind man with a gentle, healing touch. It contrasted Achilles dramatically.
Ultimately, Achilles’ hubris lead to his lover’s death, which is likely one of the greatest forms of irony Miller could have used in this book. The guilt of losing his Patroclus drove Achilles into madness – or near madness as Odysseus described in Miller’s other book Circe, which I will review another time.
Miller painted the picture of Achilles’ destructive behaviour perfectly. Many who have experienced the loss of a loved one are familiar with that ravenous desire to reunite with them, no matter the cost. Miller’s decision to have Achilles smile as Paris’ arrow pierced him was very fitting not only for the story, but for Achilles himself. As far as he was concerned, he had fulfilled the prophecy that hung over him his whole life and he could now join Patroclus in the Underworld.
I was pleased when Miller decided not to end the story with Achilles’ death but instead to have Patroclus’ spirit, who was still wandering the earth because he had not been properly laid to rest, watched as Achilles’ son joined the war and the events thereafter. Miller also gave Patroclus the chance to connect with Achilles’ mother and ultimately it was she who laid Patroclus to rest so he and Achilles could be reunited. It was the best happy ending this tragedy could offer.
Oddly enough, the reason the rating is not higher is because of the tragedy that is the legend of Achilles. It’s not a happy story and while reading the book, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. I knew it was coming and was not eager to read the sadness Patroclus and Achilles would have to experience. However, this is still a great book and I happily await Miller’s future books.
The Song of Achilles Rating: ★★★
Although Achilles is the more famous of the two, Miller’s decision to make Patroclus the narrator to document Achilles’ short life was a good choice. Patroclus and Achilles meet after Patroclus is disowned by his father and he is taken in by Achilles’ father. Their friendship starts by accident, but they become steadfast companions whose love for each other transcends death, if Miller’s final chapter is to be believed. Much tries to pull the boys apart, including Achilles’ goddess mother Thetis, but through it all Patroclus and Achilles remain loyal to each other. Ultimately, this loyalty leads to Patroclus and Achilles’ deaths, but anyone with any knowledge of the Greek myths knows not all stories end happily.
One of the most interesting themes in Miller’s book is war. Achilles joined the Trojan siege somewhat reluctantly at first and Patroclus followed his love, but Patroclus viewed the battles very different from how Achilles described them to him. While Achilles excelled and touted his successes on the battlefield, all Patroclus saw was the death and disease war brought to the soldiers. Through his knowledge of medicine, Patroclus became one of the camp healers. His desire to help others kept him from the battlefield and instead he was able to make a different impact. He became known as a kind man with a gentle, healing touch. It contrasted Achilles dramatically.
Ultimately, Achilles’ hubris lead to his lover’s death, which is likely one of the greatest forms of irony Miller could have used in this book. The guilt of losing his Patroclus drove Achilles into madness – or near madness as Odysseus described in Miller’s other book Circe, which I will review another time.
Miller painted the picture of Achilles’ destructive behaviour perfectly. Many who have experienced the loss of a loved one are familiar with that ravenous desire to reunite with them, no matter the cost. Miller’s decision to have Achilles smile as Paris’ arrow pierced him was very fitting not only for the story, but for Achilles himself. As far as he was concerned, he had fulfilled the prophecy that hung over him his whole life and he could now join Patroclus in the Underworld.
I was pleased when Miller decided not to end the story with Achilles’ death but instead to have Patroclus’ spirit, who was still wandering the earth because he had not been properly laid to rest, watched as Achilles’ son joined the war and the events thereafter. Miller also gave Patroclus the chance to connect with Achilles’ mother and ultimately it was she who laid Patroclus to rest so he and Achilles could be reunited. It was the best happy ending this tragedy could offer.
Oddly enough, the reason the rating is not higher is because of the tragedy that is the legend of Achilles. It’s not a happy story and while reading the book, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. I knew it was coming and was not eager to read the sadness Patroclus and Achilles would have to experience. However, this is still a great book and I happily await Miller’s future books.
The Song of Achilles Rating: ★★★